Mike White presumably joined the Miami Dolphins to back up Tua Tagovailoa, but he wouldn’t openly assign himself the No. 2 role yet.
During Sunday’s training camp, White was asked if the Dolphins told him to expect a competition with Skylar Thompson for second-string duties. White said they didn’t discuss it when he signed in March.
“I just go out there and try to complete my plays and run the offense to the best of my ability,” White said, via the Sun Sentinel‘s Chris Perkins. “Come Week 1, when they explain it to us, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Mike White said Dolphins never assured him of no. 2 job or anything like that. Skylar has been making this highly competitive
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 30, 2023
Mike White on whether he was told he’d be the No. 2 QB or was told he’d be in a battle w/Skylar pic.twitter.com/UEb5eXy7ci
— Chris Perkins (@chrisperk) July 30, 2023
White may not have broken Miami’s cap when signing a two-year, $8 million deal, but the Dolphins probably wouldn’t give that contract to a potential third-stringer.
The former fifth-round pick showed some flashes during two seasons with the New York Jets. White led them to a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals with 405 passing yards in his first career start.
When replacing a struggling Zach Wilson last year, White accrued 315 yards and three touchdowns in his first 2022 appearance. However, he tossed four picks without a single touchdown in his ensuing three games.
He nevertheless looks like an upgrade over Thompson, who completed 78 of 150 passes with five interceptions in three games in place of Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater. The seventh-round pick looked overmatched in a first-round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills.
The QB2 designation could be an important one in Miami, as Tagovailoa is coming off a season in which he suffered at least two concussions. With Thompson impressing in camp, White might not have the role locked down.